Robots Make Food Deliveries In Fairfax City, Va. During Coronavirus; D.C. Project

"Starship Technologies is using its robots to help deliver meals and groceries to Fairfax City residents during the coronavirus crisis." By Mark Hand, Patch Staff, *Apr 17, 2020.

FAIRFAX CITY, VA — Fairfax City has partnered with Starship Technologies to allow restaurants and stores to use the company's sidewalk robots for deliveries in a one-square-mile area of the city during the coronavirus crisis. Starting Friday, a number of central Fairfax City businesses will begin sending food and groceries to customers using Starship robots. Starship's fleet of 20 autonomous on-demand robots will deliver daily from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The Fairfax City Economic Development Authority has provided a $10,000 support incentive to help lower the average delivery fee charged by Starship to each participating business. The delivery fee for customers will be $2.99

- The service will continue through the coronavirus crisis, and the city will evaluate whether to continue the program after emergency declarations are lifted.

"Starship is an important addition to the city during this time of crisis. It's an innovative new business that helps directly connect city businesses with city residents while maintaining safe social distancing," Christopher Bruno, director of the Fairfax City Economic Development Office, said in a statement. "I applaud businesses like Starship for helping to push the local economy forward while fostering innovation — something we strive for here in Fairfax City."

...In Fairfax City, after each delivery, the robots get wiped down to avoid spreading the coronavirus. After placing an order using the Starship Delivery app, delivery time will range between 15 and 45 minutes in Fairfax City. Each robot can carry up to 20 pounds, the equivalent of about three shopping bags of goods. If groceries cannot fit inside one robot, two robots will be sent to carry the entire order.

The robots are outfitted with multiple cameras, two-way audio to communicate with people they interact with, and can navigate hurdles like curbs. They are monitored by humans who can take control at any time. Customers can follow the robot's progress on a map. Once the robot arrives, the customer receives an alert, and can then meet and unlock it through the app. ~ No tips are required or expected...

Read More, https://patch.com/virginia/fairfaxcity/robots-make-food-deliveries-fairfax-city-during-coronavirus

*Related: "These Adorable Robots Are Roaming DC Streets With Food Inside," *VIDEO*, Patch, March 9, *2017
https://patch.com/district-columbia/washingtondc/these-adorable-robots-are-roaming-dc-streets-food-inside-video




- Food Delivery Robots on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.